Defence Day ceremony postponed in solidarity with flood victims

The Pakistan Army has postponed the central ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) to commemorate Defence and Martyrs Day on September 6 in solidarity with the flood affected people of the country, the military said.

“Pakistan Armed Forces shall continue serving our brothers and sisters struck by unprecedented floods,” military’s media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement.

Torrential rain has triggered flash floods that have crashed down from northern mountains, destroying buildings and bridges, and washing away roads and standing and stored crops. It has submerged a third of Pakistan and killed more than 1,100 people, including 380 children.

Read more: Cataclysmic floods in Pakistan kill 1,100, including 380 children

Army helicopters plucked stranded families and dropped food packages to inaccessible areas as the historic deluge, triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains, destroyed homes, businesses, infrastructure and crops, impacting 33 million people, 15% of the 220 million-strong nation.

The country has received nearly 190% more rain than the 30-year average in the quarter through August this year, totalling 390.7 millimetres (15.38 inches). Sindh province, with a population of 50 million, was hardest hit, getting 466% more rain than the 30-year average.